Mauk ready for his first start (VIDEO)

Maty Mauk will get his first collegiate start on Saturday when the 14th ranked Mizzou Tigers host #22 Florida. With James Franklin out 3-5 weeks with what Head Coach Gary Pinkel described as a shoulder sprain, the Tigers put their offense in the hands of a redshirt freshman.

“He just got thrown into the fire pretty quickly there. It’s a pretty hostile environment (Georgia), and it takes a lot of team communication,” said Pinkel. “I think he did a good job. He is a pretty poised guy. He is thoroughly excited about this opportunity at hand. He is surrounded by an experienced offensive line, and receiving core. He has a lot of good people around him, that will step up their game and that will help him out.”

Mauk said once he ran the ball on his first play of the game, he tried to treat it like just another high school game. Those will be Pinkel’s words of advice.

“In high school, he was the guy that played at the really high level for a lot of people and had lots of success. This is certainly a lot different,” said Pinkel. “Quarterbacks have success for certain reasons. Some of the things that is important to them to have poise, and poise under pressure. He is going to be nervous but he will do fine.”